[RedsManRick]

CHRIS DENORFIA.

PECOTA weighted means projections:

Deno, 458 PA: .296/.365/.459, 12 HR, 9/12 SB, .280 EqA
Freel, 447 PA: .271/.361/.404, 8 HR, 32/42 SB, .270 EqA

Bruce, 571 PA: .264/.319/.460, 20 HR, 14/21 SB, .260 EqA

Crawford, 586 PA: .309/.351/.476, 16 HR, 43/54 SB, .294
Baldelli, 520 PA: .299/.342/.501, 20 HR, 13/17 SB, .292

Now, looking at those projections, make an argument for trading away talent to acquire Baldellli or Crawford over our in house options.

Another very interesting projection is Joey Votto:

Votto, 630 PA: .284/.366/.511, 29 HR, 18/24 SB. That's right, PECOTA projects Votto as the second best offensive Red.

In terms of EqA:
1. Dunn .314
2. Votto .293
3. Junior .281
4. Denorfia .280
5. Encarnacion .279
6. Hatteberg .273
7. Freel .270
8. Ross .262
9. Bruce .260
10. Hatteberg .259
11. Phillips .256
12. Conine .252
13. Gil .249 (as a CF)
14. Gonzalez .247

Not saying that these projections are perfect, but at least one method of looking at things suggests that while Baldelli or Crawford would indeed be upgrades, perhaps not quite as big as you'd think. If Deno does not get a real shot (not just ST or 100 AB in April) at being an everyday OF, it speaks pretty poorly of the Reds brass. Yes, I know he could fail. He could be Brandon Larson. But everything from the scouting and statistic point of view suggests otherwise -- to say nothing of the fact that he's the best defensive option we have.